Understanding the Concept of 'Chadash': A Guide for Today

Introducing a new concept: 'Chadash' is a term in Jewish law that is relevant around this time.

We read about it in the Torah in Parashat Emor: "And you shall not eat bread, roasted grain, or fresh kernels until this very day, until you bring the offering of your God; it is an eternal statute for all your generations in all your dwelling places."

It pertains to the days following Passover: bread, roasted grain, and fresh kernels (akin to today's roasted snacks) cannot be consumed until the offering of the Omer is brought, during the third day of Passover, 17th of Nisan.

The Omer – an offering of barley – permits the consumption of all new grain.

But what is done without a Temple? And without the Omer offering?

The sages taught us that the day of the Omer offering allows consumption, even without a physical offering.

Until that day, however, the consumption of Chadash is prohibited.

In other words, grain sown after Passover cannot be eaten until after "it has passed another Passover." Anything grown during the year is banned under the prohibition of Chadash.

Typically, this prohibition doesn’t pose a problem since, by nature in Israel, sowing occurs at the start of winter, and the harvest follows after Passover. So, the grain harvested each summer has already "passed a Passover" and is permissible.

However, abroad, particularly in climates different from Israel's, we live in a global village. In South America, grains are harvested in the months of Tevet-Shevat, hence they can't be eaten until after Passover, whether as imported grain or in products like beer, which kosher organizations monitor.

In the past, while Jews lived abroad, it wasn’t easy to adhere to this prohibition. Many Jewish communities were lenient, relying on opinions that the Chadash prohibition doesn’t apply outside of Israel, although some significant rabbinic authorities, such as the Vilna Gaon (the Gra), were very strict about it.

Today, with increased awareness and technology for monitoring and regulating imports, it's much easier to observe the prohibition of "Chadash," with stringent kosher certifications ensuring compliance.